Representatives from Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties come together to address treatment options for people suffering from substance abuse.

Area agencies, former drug addicts, and community members met for the the Heroin Epidemic Leadership Project, or H.E.L.P., Summit to fight the heroin epidemic in our area.

Three workshops were offered, including it takes a family, surviving the battle, and the facts of life: addiction and treatment.

There was also a guest speaker who talked about her addiction and how she’s recovering. Crystal Oertle said she has spoken on TED Talks, with Bernie Sanders, and on a CNN panel with President Obama on the topic of drug addiction and treatment in the area.

One representative says they want to have more detox and treatment options available to people who are suffering. “We hope to be able to leave the table with a broader board and to gain allies in the community that we can team with so that we can develop the proper programming needed to bridge the gap in treatment,” said Stephanie Jones, chair of the Heroin Epidemic Leadership Project Summit.

Jones says they plan to continue having heroin summits across the area and are working on a town hall event.